New iTablet Rumors; Educational And Consumer Versions Coming?

Today Gizmodo added another dollop of credibility to the iTablet rumors that have been rampant as of late. In case you've been hiding under a rock for the last two months, the iTablet is Apple's most popular still unannounced product. If the tablet exists, it's got enough hype behind it to whip customers into a buying frenzy the instant it goes on sale.

Apparently one of Gizmodo's writers had a long conversation with someone who he verified to “a high level of certainty” had close Apple connections. This mystery-person claims to have held prototypes of Apple's new 10” tablet, and he had some new information about the gadget for us to mull over.

The most interesting rumor he dropped was of a second version of the tablet, designed purely for educational use. Presumably this would be a cheaper, streamlined version of the tablet made primarily for research and textbook storage. The non-educational version of the tablet will come with a webcam, the anonymous source said.

Apple's new tablet is said to be very similar in design to the iPhone and iPod touch, with the same black resin back and home button. The device was said to run $700-$900, which fits with other rumors we've heard, and there has apparently been talk about allowing the tablet to act as a second USB screen for an iMac or MacBook. The source also stated to expect the tablet out this holiday season, which gels with a few earlier rumors we heard.

Gizmodo is usually a trustworthy source, but we don't have anything close to hard evidence to back up these rumors. Apple is a notoriously secretive company, and I am somewhat hesitant to believe that all this information about a top-secret product has managed to leak out. We know for a fact that Apple has a new product underway, and we know that they've been filming commercials for this new product.

That doesn't mean this new product is a tablet, though. Apple could just be getting people psyched up for the next generation of iPods.

It isn't unheard of for Apple to lay out a trail of false rumors to trick tech journalists. The last major iPhone release was surrounded with ridiculous rumors of new features the next generation phone was supposed to have. Many analysts and experienced journalists fell for Apple's shenanigans, and that could very well be what's going on here.

I certainly hope it isn't. Real or not, the iTablet we've been given tantalizing glimpses of sounds like one of the sexiest products ever. If it isn't real yet, I hope like hell Apple gets to work on building one. Nothing says 'the future' like a tablet PC.

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